MA Digital Technologies, Communication and Education / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Multimedia Design and Development

Course unit fact file
Unit code EDUC70511
Credit rating 15
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? Yes

Overview

This course unit looks at the design and development of course level multimedia materials; exploring the role such materials might play in various classroom modalities (face-to-face, self-access and online). Participants will review existing materials and explore the literature and research available in this area. They will also develop a range of skills in the development of multimedia materials making use of a variety of digital tools.

Aims

  • develop an advanced knowledge and understanding of the role of multimedia in teaching and learning;
  • provide opportunities to analyse and critically reflect on relevant research and theory in relevant subject
  • areas and make use of it to inform the evaluation and development of multimedia materials for the classroom or online;
  • provide the opportunity for the development of relevant skills in the development of multimedia learning materials.

Teaching and learning methods

This course unit is taught using a variety of different tools. For face-to-face (onsite) students in Manchester there are 10 x 2 hour teaching sessions mixing together the input and discussion of ideas as well as practical skills based sessions. There is a Blackboard space for discussion outside of the class and a linked wiki with accompanying materials. For distance learners, there is a set of input texts, videos and forum tasks which support the students through the learning process. These are accessed via Blackboard.

 

Knowledge and understanding

  • Reflect critically on the choice of development tools and methods of delivery for the materials;
  • Situate the material within the broader context of research on multimedia and the role of technology in education and society.

Intellectual skills

  • Critically evaluate web-based teaching and learning according to principles established from an understanding of relevant research and theory;
  • Demonstrate the application of advanced knowledge and understanding of relevant research and theory to the design of multimedia materials.

Practical skills

  • Design effective multimedia materials for an education context specified by the participants;
  • Select, or create and make use of appropriate digital media.

Transferable skills and personal qualities

  • Enhanced skills in academic literacies including academic presentation, information processing (on- and offline) and online networking;
  • Enhanced skills in designing and developing multimedia;
  • Enhanced skills in using information and communication technologies (ICT);
  • Enhanced skills in interpersonal and intercultural communication;
  • Autonomy and enhanced metacognitive strategies with regard to study skills and further professional development

Feedback methods

Feedback via Blackboard

Recommended reading

Mayer, EE. (2009). Multimedia Learning- Second Edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Clark, R. C. and Mayer, E.E. (2003). The Cambridge handbook of multimedia learning. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Greene, T.D., and Brown, A. Multimedia Projects in the Classroom: A Guide to Development and Evaluation. London : Sage Publications Ltd.

** This book is the book we draw on most in this course unit

Journals

Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, System, the British Journal of Educational Technology, Computers and Education, Language Learning and Technology, the Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, Educational Technology Research and Development, Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology, Tech Trends, Innovate.

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Susan Brown Unit coordinator

Additional notes

 

Learning Hours:

 

Activity

Hours allocated

Direct teaching input

20

Private study

50

Directed reading

18

Materials development

60

Tutorials

2

Total hours

         150

 

Return to course details